Railway traffic controlling apparatus



.Novi 24, 1936. c. A. BROOKS RAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLING APPARATUS Original Filed June 7, 1934 ,f means for indicating the position of the switch plain, however, that the valve can be shifted Patented Nov. 24, 1936 2,062,048

UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE RAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLING APPARATUS Charles A. Brooks, Forest Hills, N. Y., assignor to The Union Switch & Signal Company, Swissvale, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application June '7, 1934, Serial No. 729,392 Renewed March 23, 1936 12 claims. (o1. 246-141) My invention relates t0 railway traiiic controlis moved outwardly, thereby disengaging the ling apparatus, and particularly to apparatus of rod Il from the notch in the slide valve and the type comprising a railway switch controlled permitting the valve to be shifted by means by a manually operable lever, together with which I will describe hereinafter. It will be and of its operating mechanism. only when winding IS is energized to draw the One object of my invention is the provision, rod Il out of the notch in the valve. in apparatus of the type described, of novel and The switch valve C also comprises two oppoimproved means for utilizing the switch control sitely disposed axially aligned cylinders I2 and wires as part of the circuit for the indicating I2a. The cylinder I2 contains a piston I3 car- 10 means. rying a stem I4 which engages one end of the I will describe one form of railway trafc conslide valve "l, and the cylinder I2@ contains a trolling apparatus embodying my invention, and piston I3EL carrying a stem Illa which engages will then point out the novel features thereof the other end of the slide valve l. Cylinder in claims. I2 is at times supplied with fluid pressure by a 15 The accompanying drawing is a view, partly valve 2| comprising a valve stem 23 provided diagrammatic, illustrating one form of railway with a reverse magnet winding 25 and an artraic controlling apparatus embodying my inmature 2a associated therewith. When winding vention. 25 is de-energized the valve stem 23 occupies Referring to the' drawing, the reference charits right-hand position and cylinder I2 is con- 20 acters I and Ia designate the rails of a stretch nected with atmosphere. When winding 25 of of railway track provided with a switch 2. This valve 2l is energized, however, the valve stem switch is operated by a iluid pressure motor A 23 is moved to the left and cylinder I2 is then comprising a cylinder 3 containing a reciprodisconnected from atmosphere and is connected 'fcable piston 4. Attached to the piston 4 is withasource of uid pressure. In similar man- 25 a piston rod 5 which is operatively connected ner, a Valve 22 controls the supply of fluid preswith the movable points of the switch 2 through sure to cylinder I2a so that when normal magsuitable mechanism which is indicated by the net winding 25ab of valve 22 is de-energized, dotted line 5a. cylinder I2a is connected with atmosphere, but

The motor A is controlled by a switch valve that when this winding is energized cylinder I2a 30 C comprising a slide valve 'I operating in a valve is supplied with uid pressure. It will be plain chamber ii. The chamber 6 is constantly supfrom the drawing that when cylinder I2a is plied with huid pressure, from a source not supplied with iiuid pressure, piston I3a is moved shown in the drawing, through pipe II. When upwardly to drive the valve 'I to its normal posithe slide valve is in its normal position, uid tion. When cylinder I2 is supplied with fluid 35 pressure is supplied from chamber 6, through pressure, however, piston I3 moves downwardpipe IIJ to the lower end of cylinder 3 of motor ly and drives the valve 'I to its reverse position. A, and the upper end of this cylinder is con- In either case, of course, movement of valve 'I nected with atmosphere through pipe and is possible only if the locking rod Il is withdrawn port 9. With the valve in this position, therefrom the notch I5 or IB. 40 fore, the piston 4 is moved upwardly and the The windings 25 and 25a of valves 2I and 22 switch then occupies its normal position. When and winding I9 are controlled by a manually opthe slide valve 'I occupies its reverse position, erable lever L. This` lever comprises a handle 33 pipe 8 is connected with chamber 6, and pipe and a plurality of contacts arranged to be open or I0 is connected through ports 9 to atmosphere. closed in accordance with the position occupied 45 The piston 4 is then driven downwardly and by this handle. The diagram appearing immedithe switch 2 is moved to its reverse position. ately below the handle 33 in Fig. 1 illustrates the The valve l is provided with two spaced principal positions which may be occupied by the notches I5 and IS one or the other of which lever. These positidhs are: full normal or leftreceives a locking rod I'I according as the valve hand position N, full reverse or right-hand posi- 50 is in the reverse or normal position. The rod tion R, and two intermediate positions known as I1 carries an armature I8 associated with a the reverse indicating position D and the normal lock magnet winding I9, and is constantly urged indicating position B. The various contacts are toward the slide valve l by a spring 20. When designatedby the reference characters which corwinding I9 is energized, however, armature Id respond to this diagram and which indicate the 55 positions in which the associated contacts are closed. For example, the lowest contact on the lever L is designated by the reference character NB, which means that this contact is closed when the lever L is in the normal position, the B position, or any position between these two.

The circuit for lock magnet winding I9 may be traced from terminal B of asuitable source of current, through back contact 31 of an indication relay E, and winding I9 to terminal O of the same source of current. The circuit for reverse magnet winding 25 passes from terminal B, through wire 1I), Contact DR of lever L, wire 1I, and winding 25 of valve 2| to terminal O. When contact NB of lever L is closed, current flows from terminal B, through wire 12, contact NB of lever L, wire 13, and normal magnet winding 25a of valve 22, to terminal O.

Associated with lever L are a normal indication lock K and a reverse indication lock J. Each of these indication locks comprise a segment 36 operatively connected with the lever L, and a magnet 34 having a locking dog 35 controlled thereby. Segment 36 of lock K is provided with a projection 36a so arranged that when the lever is moved from the reverse position toward the normal position, the dog 35 engages the projection 36a and prevents movement of the lever past the normal indicating position B unless magnet 34 of lock K is energized. In similar manner, segment 36 of lock J is provided with a projection 36lo which is arranged to be engaged by the dog 35 at the D position when the lever is moved from the normal position toward the reverse position, unless the associated magnet 34 is energized. The magnets 34 of the indication locks K and J are controlled by the polarized indication relay E, and by contacts on the lever L. The circuit kfor the magnet of lock K passes from terminal B, through front contact 56 of relay E, wire 51, normal contact 58 of relay E, wire 59, Contact RB of lever L, wire 60, and magnet 34 of lock K to terminal O. The reverse locking circuit passes from terminal B, through front contact 56 of relay E, Wire 51, reverse contact 53 of relay E, wire 64, contact ND of lever L, wire 65, and magnet 34 of lock J, to terminal O.

'Ihe apparatus thus far referred to is described and illustrated in United States Letters Patent No. 1,713,169, granted to J. P. Coleman on the 14th day of May, 192,9, for Railway tramo controlling apparatus.

The polarized indication relay E is supplied with current over the two control wires 1I and 13, and is controlled by two circuit controllers G and H. Circuit controller G is connected with the switch 2 and the operating mechanism` for this switch by suitable mechanism indicated by the dash line 5e. Circuit controller H is operated by the slide valve 1 through suitable mechanism indicated by the dash line 1a.

When the lever L and the slide valve 1 and the switch 2 are all in their normal positions, relay E is supplied with current of normal polarity through a circuit which passes from terminal B, through wires 12, lever contact NB, wires 13 and 39, contact 21-211, contact 2li-29a, winding of relay E, and contact 30-3Ilto terminal O. Relay E is then energized in the normal direction, so that its contacts 56 and 58 are closed.

When the lever L is in its reverse position and both the slide valve 1 and the switch 2 occupy their reverse positions, relay E will be supplied with current of reverse polarity, the circuit being from terminal B, through wire 10, lever-operated contact DR, wires 1I and 38, contact Ztl-28a, contact 3I--3Ia, winding of relay E and contact 32-32a to terminal O. Relay E will then be energized in the reverse direction, so that its contacts 56 and 63 will be closed.

If the slide Valve 1 is in the normal position and switch 2 is in the reverse position, relay E will be shunted through contacts 28-28b and contact If the slide valve is in the reverse position and the switch is in the normal position, relay E will be shunted by contacts 21--21EL and 2li-29a.

As shown in the drawing, the lever L occupies its normal position, so that normal magnet winding 25a is energized and relay E is energized in the normal direction. Cylinder I 2a is therefore supplied with fluid pressure and valve 1 occupies its normal position. Back contact 31 of relay E is open, so that lock winding I9 is de-energized and rod I1 therefore projects into groove I6 to lock the slide valve in normal position. Since valve 1 is in its normal position, fluid pressure is supplied to the lower end of cylinder 3 of motor A and the switch 2 occupies its normal position. I will now assume that the operator in charge of lever L wishes to reverse switch 2. Lever L is first moved toward the reverse position. Magnet 34 of the reverse indication lock J is cle-energized, so that movement of the lever is arrested at the D position. The movement of the lever from the N to the D position, deenergizes normal magnet winding 25a and energizes reverse magnet winding 25. This movement of the lever also de-energizes the indication relay E, so that the circuit for the lock magnet I9 becomes closed at back contact 31. Cylinder I2 will now be supplied with fluid pressure and cylinder I 2a will be connected with atmosphere, and valve 1 will therefore be moved to its reverse position by piston I3. The reversal of slide valve 1 will connect the lower end of cylinder 3 with atmosphere, and will supply uid pressure to the upper end of this cylinder. The switch 2 will therefore be moved to its reverse position. When the switch has attained its full reverse position, circuit controllers G and H will complete the reverse circuit for relay E, and the closing of reverse contact 63 of this relay will complete the circuit for magnet 34 of lock J. Dog 35 of this lock Will therefore be lifted to permit lever L to be moved to its full reverse position R. Contact. ND Will then become opened, and the opening of this contact will deenergize the magnet 34 of lock J.

The operation of the apparatus during the return of the switch 2 to its normal position will be understood from the foregoing Without detailed explanation.

Although I have herein shown and described only one form of apparatus embodying my invention, it is understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

l. In combination, a railway track switch, an operating mechanism for said switch including a normal magnet and a reverse magnet, a normal control wire connected with said normal magnet and a reverse control wire connected with said reverse magnet, means located at a remote point for connecting one or the other of said Wires k with one terminal of a source of current, a polarized indication relay, and means operating when said switch is. in normal positionv to connect one terminal of the winding oi said relay with said one terminal of said source through said normal wire and the other terminal of the relay winding with the other terminal of said source, said means operating when the switch is in reverse position to connect the second terminal of said relay winding with said one terminal of said source through said reverse wire and the iirst terminal of the relay winding with said other terminal of said source.

2. In combination, a railway track switch, a fluid pressure motor for operating said switch, a slide valve for admitting fluid pressure to said motor to move the switch to normal or reverse position according as the slide valve is in its normal or reverse position, a normal magnet and a reverse magnet for controlling said slide valve, a normal control wire connected with said normal magnet and a reverse control wire connected with said reverse magnet, means located at a remote point for connecting one or the other of said wires with one terminal of a source of current, a polarized indication relay, and means operating when and only when said switch and said slide valve are both in normal position to connect one terminal of the winding of said relay with said one terminal of said source through said normal wire and the other terminal of the relay winding with the other terminal of said source, said means operating when and only when the switch and the slide valve are both in reverse position to connect the second terminal of said relay winding with said one terminal of said source through said reverse wire and the rst terminal of the relay winding with said other terminal of said source.

3. In combination, a railway track switch, a normal control magnet and a reverse control magnet for said switch, a manually controllable circuit for energizing said normal control magnet, a second manually controllable circuit for energizing said reverse control magnet, a polarized indication relay, an indication circuit energized by current from said first manually controllable circuit and controlled by said normal control magnet and by said switch for energizing said polarized indication relay by current of normal polarity if said normal control magnet is energized and if said switch is in the normal position, a second indication circuit energized by current from said second manually controllable circuit and controlled by said reverse control magnet and by said switch for energizing said polarized indication relay by current of reverse polarity if said reverse control magnet is energized and if said switch is in the reverse position, and means controlled by energization of said normal control magnet to operate said switch to the normal position and by energization of said reverse control magnet to operate said switch to the reverse position.

4. In combination, a railway track switch, a normal control magnet and a reverse control magnet for said switch, a manually controllable circuit for energizing said normal control magnet, a second manually controllable circuit for energizing said reverse control magnet, a polarized indication relay, an indication circuit energized by current from said rst manually controllable circuit and controlled by said switch for energizing said polarized indication relay by current of normal polarity if said switch is in the normal position, a second indication circuit energized by current from said second manually controllable circuit and controlled by said switch for energizing said polarized indication relay by current of reverse polarity if said switch is in the reverse position, and means controlled by energization of said normal and reverse control magnets for operating said switch to normal and reverse positions respectively.

5. In combination, a railway track switch, a normal control magnet and a reverse control magnet for said switch, a two-position circuit controller operable to a normal position in response to energization of said normal control magnet and operable to a `reverse position in response to energization of said reverse control magnet, a manually controllable circuit for energizing said normal control magnet, a second manually controllable circuit for energizing said reverse control magnet, a normal indication circuit receiving energy from said iirst manually controllable circuit and closed by operation of said switchand said two-position circuit controller to their normal positions, a reverse indication circuit receiving energy from said second manually controllable circuit and closed by operation of said switch and said two-position circuit controller to their reverse positions, normal and reverse indication means controlled by said normal and reverse indication circuits respectively, and means responsive to energization of said normal and reverse control magnets to operate said switch to its normal and reverse positions respectively.

6. In combination, a railway track switch, a normal control magnet and a reverse control magnet for said switch, a manually controllable circuit for energizing said normal control magnet, a second manually controllable circuit for energizing said reverse control magnet, a normal indication circuit energized by current from said iirst manually controllable circuit only if said switch is in the normal position, a reverse indication circuit energized by current from said second manually controllable circuit only if said switch is in the reverse position, normal and reverse indication means controlled by said normal and reverse indication circuits, andy means controlled by said normal and reverse control magnets when energized to operate said switch to the normal and reverse positions respectively.

7. In combination, a railway track switch, a manually controllable normal control circuit for said switch, a manually controllable reverse control circuit for said switch, normal indication contact means closed in response to energization of said normal control circuit, reverse indication contact means closed in response to energization of said reverse control circuit, normal switch contact means closed by operation of said switch to the normal position, reverse switch Contact means closed by operation of said switch to the reverse position, a normal indication circuit energized by current from said normal control circuit and controlled by said normal indication contact means and said normal switch contact means, a reverse indication circuit energized by current from said reverse control circuit and controlled by said reverse indication contact means and said reverse switch contact means, normal and reverse indication means controlled by said indication circuits, means controlled by said normal and reverse control circuits and by said switch for shunting said indication means if the position of said switch does not agree with the condition of said normal and reverse control circuits, and means responsive to energization of said normal and reverse control circuits for operating said switch to the normal and reverse positions respectively.

8. In combination, a railway track switch, a manually controllable normal control circuit for said switch, a manually controllable reverse control circuit for said switch, normal indication contact means closed in response to energization of said normal control circuit, reverse indication contact means closed in response to energization of said reverse control circuit, normal switch contact means closed by operation of said switch to the normal position, reverse switch contact means closed by operation of said switch to the reverse position, a normal indication circuit energized by current from said normal control circuit and controlled by said normal indication contact means and said normal switch contact means, a reverse indication circuit energized by current from said reverse control circuit and controlled by said reverse indication contact means and said reverse switch contact means, normal and reverse indication means controlled by said indication circuits, means controlled by said normal and reverse control circuits and by said switch for shunting said indication means if said switch occupies its normal position with said reverse indication contact means closed or if said switch occupies its reverse position with said normal indication contact means closed, and means responsive to energization of said normal and reverse control circuits for operating said switch to the normal and reverse positions respectively.

9. In combination, a railway track switch, a manually controllable normal control circuit for said switch, a manually controllable reverse control circuit for said switch, means controlled by said normal and reverse control circuits for operating said switch to normal and reverse positions respectively, a normal indication circuit energized by current from said normal control circuit only if said switch occupies the normal position, a reverse indication circuit energized by current from said reverse control circuit only if said switch occupies the reverse position, indication means controlled by said normal and reverse indication circuits, and means controlled by said switch and by said normal and reverse control circuits for shunting said indication means if said switch -fails to occupy a position corresponding to the energization of said normal and reverse control circuits.

10. In combination, a railway track switch, a manually controllable normal control circuit for said switch, a manually controllable reverse control circuit for said switch, means controlled by said normal and reverse control circuits for operating said switch to normal and reverse positions respectively, a normal indication circuit energized by current from said normal control circuit only if said switch occupies the normal position, a reverse indication circuit energized by current from said reverse control circuit only if said switch occupies the reverse position, indication means controlled by said normal and reverse indication circuits, and means controlled by said switch and by said normal and reverse control circuits for shunting said indication means if said switch occupies its normal position while the reverse control circuit is energized or if said switch occupies its reverse position while the normal control circuit is energized.

1l. In combination, a railway track switch, a normal conductor, a reverse conductor, a common conductor, a normal control device, a reverse control device, a manually controllable circuit including said normal and common conductors for effecting operation of said normal control device, a second manually controllable circuit including said reverse and common conductors for effecting operation of said reverse control device, means controlled by said normal and reverse control devices for operating said switch to its normal and reverse positions respectively, a normal indication circuit energized by current from said first manually controllable circuit only if said switch occupies the normal position, a reverse indication circuit energized by current from said second manually controllable circuit only if said switch occupies the reverse position, and normal and reverse indication means controlled by said normal and reverse indication circuits.

l2. In combination, a railway track switch, a normal conductor, a reverse conductor, a common conductor, a manually controllable circuit including said normal and common conductors for effecting operation of said switch to its normal position, a second manually controllable circuit including said reverse and common conductors for eiecting operation of said switch to its reverse position, a normal indication circuit energized by current from said first manually con-` trollable circuit only if said switch occupies the normal position, a reverse indication circuit energized by current from said second manually controllable circuit only if said switch occupies the reverse position, and normal and reverse indication means controlled by said normal and reverse indication circuits.

CHARLES A. BROOKS. 

